Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Lieberman opposed to Arab Peace Initiative because of references to "right of return"

Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman rejected the Arab Peace Initiative as unacceptable because of its call for a Palestinian right of return of refugees exiled by the 1947 and 1967 wars or just compensation for those not seeking to return to Israel. Defense Minister Ehud Barak is also opposed to the possible return of Palestinian refugees to Israel but not to the Arab Peace Initiative in full. President Obama supports parts of the plan and hopes to implement parts of it in piecemeal form in the context of a resolution to the conflict. Obama has not commented on the possibility of the return of Palestinian refugees.